I have a rather elderly, but still serviceable, Oregon Scientific (rather large caliber) bullet camera that I’d like to upgrade.

I’d like HD and ideally a screen so I can see where it’s pointing more easily. It also needs to be sufficiently small to allow it to be mounted on a helmet.

So far so normal I hear you cry.

However, I am somewhat financially constrained so need on that costs under £100 (as far under as is feasible) and therefore can’t run to a GoPro.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Not quite within your budget, but Action Cameras are selling the DRIFT HD720 for £129.99 right now.

I have one and its fine for what i use it for. Its on the budget end of the HD spectrum but its still pretty good.
Has a screen and takes up to a 32Gb micro SD card.

Well worth a look.

Thanks for that MD, will check it out

Maybe 2nd hand? Some people are replacing the original Hero HD with one of the newer ones.

I have a tachyon xc extreme waterproof cam for sale but its not HD.

http://helmetcameracentral.com/2010/05/11/2010-tachyon-xc-helmet-camera-review/

£65 posted if your interested. Includes box instructions remote, cables etc.

loads of footage filmed on these on you tube

How about here:
http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/b/multimedia/photography-video/action-cameras

Well, they LOOK GoPro-esque. Cant speak for the quality though.

Decathlon’s is the same as the clasohlson one, but a bit cheaper iirc, and some other brands and has some pretty excellent reviews. There was one over on BR recently och the same camera branded as some Italian company.

the clasohlson one looks suspiciously like the swann freestyle hd camera. if it is review here (i was considering getting one when they were being sold silly cheap)

For reviews of economical video cameras, Techmoan is your friend. He’s not really an action camera specialist, but does cover them. See also his own website. His presentation style seems a little ‘marmite’, but I’m a fan.

Anyone tried the nilox foolish £199 ?

Found a sample here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6WxIkBSrDg

or this £99 ?
http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-action-cam-extreme-hd-waterproof-digital-video-camera-accessory-kit

Both the Decathlon and clasohlson do indeed look like the Swann Freestyle HD/AEE SD21, there’s a good review and comparison video of the Freestyle and GoPro 1 and 2 posted on this website all can be had for about £129.

I am after a cheapish reasonable quality camera and as much as I know the quality of a GoPro 2 or 3 would be best I can’t justify the cost for what will be a little used novelty. But, it would be nice to video the odd ride in the Lakes, Alps and with the kids as start to ride more.

The Swann is a contender, as is the 7DayShop Extreme HD Action Camera option which appears to be the same as Delkin Wingman HD and good value at £99.

I’ve come so, so close to buying the 7DayShop camera but would rather see some MTB related videos or reviews before doing so.

Be interested to know if anyone has seen used any of the above.

[Edit] Beaten to the 7dayshop post! 🙂

I’m also really tempted by the 7dayshop version, anyone bought one?

Had this one sat on my ebay watch list for a while , but couldn’t tell you what the quality might be like.
It looks like the Drift HD cameras.

So, has anyone actually taken the plunge and purchased one of the many options presented above?

I’m in a constant state of indecision and swing wildly between the ‘cheap’ 7dayshop option at £99 (chest mount out of stock and it would be nice for my weekend away next week), the more expensive Sony AS10 at £149 which doesn’t have any viewing or playback option but would be a quality product/image, and thinking stuff it and just going nuts and getting a Go-Pro.

Argh, I’m so useless with choice!

A few S/H gopros and contours gone for that sort of money recently in the classifieds. Unfortunately there was nothing about when I bought mine.

the clasohlson one looks suspiciously like the swann freestyle hd camera. if it is review here (i was considering getting one when they were being sold silly cheap)

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/accessories/gadgets/helmet-cams/product/review-swann-freestyle-1080p-hd-camera-12-46282

making link work 😉

The clasohlson and the Decathlon both appear to be the AEE20 where as the Swann is based on the AEE21, the difference appears to be that one is 5mb and one is 8mb, could be wrong.

Have seen the Swann for £150.

Also, forgot to throw the Veho Muvi HD into the mix which is a variant of another AEE product.

And, finally tis weekend I have learnt that you really need to post process the video for image stabilisation. Examples make it look like it makes a big difference.

What did you go with Jam bo?

I’m in a similar position. I intend to buy one at the end of April.

Thinking of getting a 7dayshop gopro clone but these two are also on my radar:

Xtreme HD

Cubicam

The Cubicam looks unusual because of it’s screen being on the front.

I’m after good colour reproduction, full HD and reduced (or none!) vibration wavy shutter effects.

I keep looking at Techmoan Youtube to see what he’s found.

I did try making my own: DIY chest cam but gave up as it was too heavy and the camera I used kept switching itself off! Plus, gopro clones started getting cheaper so it wasn’t really worth it anymore. It was fun to try and make though – happy hours spent in the man cave! The bits are currently in a pile in front of me.

I have the Drift HD720 that is selling for £129.99 currently.
decent quality footage, has a playback screen, robust and is pretty much set up and go.
It is slightly larger than others though, but it does have an aftermarket shoulder harness that is Drifts answer to the chest mount of the gopro.

For what i want its a great bit of kit, its not the top end but its £200 cheaper as well. As said, for me its a novelty toy.

Worth looking into i reckon. I’m off to gisburn tomorrow with it so ill try to get some footage.

The Drift looks nice and gets some good reviews, there is a comparison of the 7dayshop option and a Drift on a motorbike site and the rider favoured the Drift.

Found the link, it’s here

Snow and Rock have the Swann Freestyle on offer for £125 and are showing stock local to me…tempting.

My concern with all these cheap cameras is that low light performance is often stated as being poor, and that the GP2 and the GP3 are better. Quite a bit of my normal riding is in tree cover so I wonder whether a cheaper camera would be any good?

My concern with all these cheap cameras is that low light performance

I looked at the test of the Xdreme HD and it looked pretty good in low light.

Well, I went for a Sony HDR-AS15. I managed to find it for £185 on ebay from one of the UK based grey import sellers.
I spent a whole 2 days looking at videos, downloading actual clips, reading reviews.

Main reasons that swung it:
1. No rolling shutter wobble effect
2. Stereo sound capable
3. Slo-mo capable
4. Wifi controllable
5. Built in image stabilisation (720 120 degrees wide angle)
6. It’s Sony (already got one of their cameras – awesome quality)
7. Good low light performance
8. Good price

I shall do a proper off road bumpy test with it as soon as it arrives.

There ought to be used Gopro HD 1s and maybe some 2s in your budget now that the 3’s properly out and actually works… They’re pretty reliable, durable units so a good used buy. On the other hand you’ll probably end up spending a packet on mounts anyway!

Hmm. If you were to make me an offer on my gen1 Gopro HD- proper 1080p one not the sawn-off 960- then I might listen 😉

Congratulations, they look really good and some of the stabilised footage seems nice and smooth. Interested in how you get on with mounting options.

Anyway, well done! I’m still struggling with indecision and this hasn’t helped 😉

Look forward to seeing some footage.

Veho muvi hd can be picked up about £100-£120 on ebay currently

click

Full hd loads of mounts included and a built in screen. I’ve just bought one.

I also have a contour hd for my helmet. I think I paid £115 for that new and its been great, the only thing that lets it down in my opinion is the shape (it’s only really suited to helmet mounting)and lack of screen, hence the muvi.